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Welcome to GCHQ Cheltenham

Most GCHQ staff are based in our award-winning headquarters in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.

Cheltenham is a popular spa town, convenient for both the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley. It hosts several internationally-famous festivals, and offers excellent facilities for sports, the arts and socialising.

The town also offers a wide choice of housing and schools, excellent shopping and good transport links to London, Cardiff, Oxford, Bristol and Birmingham.

The 'Doughnut'

We moved to our purpose-built accommodation in Cheltenham in 2004. Popularly known as the 'doughnut' because of its unique shape, the building is so big that you could fit the Albert Hall in its central courtyard.

An internal 'street' links all areas. This means that no-one is more than a five minute walk away, encouraging an informal and collaborative working environment. There is a gym and a choice of cafeterias and restaurants.

Culture

GCHQ's success depends on creating innovative solutions to fascinating and challenging problems. It's therefore essential that our people can give of their best.

To encourage this, we aim to create a strong knowledge-sharing culture where people are able to develop and exchange ideas. We also offer an exceptional welfare and support infrastructure.